NHL debut night: Power among 5 to jump from college to pros
STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Three days after winning the national title with a fully caged helmet, Bobby Brink stepped onto the ice in the U.S. capital for his rookie lap with nothing on his head but a big smile.
North of the border in the center of the hockey universe, Owen Power did the same in his fresh Buffalo Sabres uniform in the Toronto arena where he attended games as a kid.
Brink and Power were among five players making their NHL debut Tuesday night, fresh off the end of the college season. Matty Beniers became the first Seattle draft pick to play for the expansion franchise when the Kraken visited the Calgary Flames, and Arizona got a double debut of Beijing Olympics with American Nathan Smith and Canadian Jack McBain in the lineup against New Jersey.
Brink couldn’t sit still two hours before warmups and couldn’t stop smiling and fidgeting with his stick in the seconds before he went down the tunnel before his Philadelphia teammates. The accomplishment of moving so quickly from the Frozen Four to the pros with a handful of others wasn’t lost on him.
“It’s definitely cool seeing other guys playing and making their debuts,” said Brink, who was the nation’s leading scorer on the way to helping Denver win its ninth national title. “I imagine their situation is pretty similar to mine. It’s pretty special for them, too.”
There was no easing in for either player. Power’s first shift came against Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, while Brink lined up next to childhood hero Alex Ovechkin for the opening faceoff.
“A guy that I watched a lot,” he said. “It’s definitely a really cool moment to be playing against a legend and one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
Power, from nearby Mississauga, Ontario, skated almost 20 minutes in a 5-2 Sabres victory in front of friends and family. He was swarmed by them — many wearing his new No. 25 Buffalo jersey.
Once Kent Johnson and Michigan teammate Nick Blankenburg suit up for the Blue Jackets, which could come as soon as Wednesday in Montreal, they’ll be the 10th and 11th players to skate in the NCAA and NHL this season.
Boston signed free agent Marc McLaughlin and plugged him right in last month, and Toronto did the same with Nick Abruzzese, a fourth-round pick in 2019 who had become one of the Leafs’ top prospects. Brink is the third college player to debut this spring for the Flyers after Noah Cates and Ronnie Attard.
It’s not uncommon for prospects to play late in the NHL season after they’re done with college, though this year the sheer depth of talent is more than usual. Flyers coach Mike Yeo credits the college development system for this breakthrough.
“It says a lot about college coaching that we’re seeing right now as far as the way that those players are developed and possibly even recruited,” Yeo said. “There’s great competition at the college level, and I think they get great coaching at that level.”
Some of the players even got the added boost of taking part in the hockey tournament at the Olympics because the NHL didn’t participate. Johnson would be the 10th Beijing Olympian to reach the NHL this season, joining Canada teammates Power and McBain, Beniers, Smith, Abruzzese, Cates and Smith from the U.S. and two veterans from Finland’s gold medal-winning team: goaltender Harri Sateri and defenseman Petteri Lindbohm.
USA Hockey taking 15 college players to Beijing made it likely a lot of them would reach the NHL, but five this quickly is impressive, and Matthew Knies could make it six if he signs with Toronto.
“Super special,” Cates said. “We had a really fun group over there. Kind of expected it with just how good all these players were. Obviously really happy for all those guys and it’ll be fun to watch for years to come and play against these guys.”
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
NHL debut night: Power among 5 to jump from college to pros
Nathan Denette
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power pauses during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs oin Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Nathan Denette
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power pauses during the first period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs oin Tuesday, April 12, 2022, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
